The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston has announced a $50 million commitment from the Hale family in support of pancreatic cancer research.

The gift from board member Judith B. Hale, her son, Robert T. Hale, Jr., and his wife, Karen Hale, will support the Hale Family Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, which was established in 2016 with a $15 million gift from the family. The family's latest commitment will fund two areas of research: the early detection and prevention of pancreatic cancer, and precision medicine. To that end, Dana-Farber scientists will leverage health system data to identify those at highest risk for pancreatic cancer, work to detect it earlier through new imaging approaches and blood tests, and develop new treatments for pre- and early-invasive cancers. The center also will investigate the biology and interplay of pancreatic cancer cells, the immune system, and stromal cells and will develop a series of clinical trials to test new therapies based on new discoveries.

The gift was made in the memory of Robert T. Hale, Sr., a former patient at the institute, who died in 2008. Longtime supporters of Dana-Farber, he and his wife established the Robert T. Hale Sr. and Judith B. Hale Fund for Pancreatic Cancer Research in 2007. The latest pledge brings the Hale family's cumulative support to the institute to more than $80 million.

"Our intention is to substantially speed the pace of research and new treatments for this terrible disease," said Judith Hale. "We are investing in the exceptional talent at Dana-Farber because we are committed to finding a cure. That would be a wonderful honor for my husband and legacy for our family."

"More than sixty thousand people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year, far too often at a late stage," said Karen Hale. "It is critical to detect it early when it is most vulnerable, and to have newer, more advanced treatments available when we do. Dana-Farber has the best team of scientists and clinicians to do this urgent work."